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August 14, 2010

G118: Red Sox 3, Rangers 1

Lester (8-5-0-0-5) did exactly what was needed -- shut down the Rangers and rest the bullpen. He allowed only one baserunner past second base (it came with with one out in the seventh) and the bottom of the order tacked on two important insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Felix Doubront got the save, but it also could have be awarded to Vladimir Guerrero.

After Lester had thrown 109 pitches in the 102-degree evening heat -- although he told John Farrell around the sixth inning that he was not feeling well, he retired 15 of the last 16 hitters he faced -- Scott Atchison started the ninth. Michael Young lined out to second, Josh Hamilton hit an opposite-field home run to left, and Guerrero beat out a single to the shortstop hole.

Terry Francona brought in Doubront to face pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland. On Doubront's second pitch, Vlad took off for second - WTF? -- and Victor Martinez gunned him down by five feet. Moreland watched a game-ending strike three curveball two pitches later.

Felix has made four relief appearances:

I'm enjoying it. I'm excited to be a reliever now. I like the challenge. Coming in for the seventh of eighth inning, that pressure makes me feel good.

Boston scored in the fifth when Ryan Kalish singled and scored on J.D. Drew's two-out hit to right. In the ninth, Mike Lowell doubled to left-center and Kalish got his second single of the night (he also walked). Bill Hall singled to left to make it 2-0. After a pitching change, Eric Patterson singled to load the bases and Scutaro lofted a fly ball towards left-center. Pedro Borbon tried to make a waist-high catch, but the ball clanged off his glove, and Kalish scored.

The Red Sox squandered a scoring chance in the second when they loaded the bases with one out. Hall struck out looking and Patterson flew out to left.

The Yankees beat the Royals 8-3 and the Rays beat the Orioles 7-3, so the East remains the same: Tampa Bay 2 GB; Boston 6 GB. We have 44 games remaining.

When are people going to lay off of Ellsbury? How many of his naysayers have broken their ribs and gone for a walk, let along played pro ball and then reinjured them.

MORE IMPORTANTLY: Why the hell do we want him playing through this? If fans and media didn't learn from what happened with Youkilis playing through his injury (thanks, Kevin) or, hell, when MDC does it, then they're more hopeless than I feared.

MORE IMPORTANTLY: Why the hell do we want him playing through this? If fans and media didn't learn from what happened with Youkilis playing through his injury (thanks, Kevin) or, hell, when MDC does it, then they're more hopeless than I feared.

Amen, brother. It seems equally possible that he actually came back too quick. I can't break down his swing, but he was hitting like poop up to and including last night.

if the catcher doesn't catch it, it is like a fly or grounder that is hit, the ball is live and the batter is now a runner. the catcher has to field the ball and tag the runner/batter or throw him out at first.

but he doesn't have to do it if there is a guy on 1st, or 1st/2nd, or if the bases are loaded. that's to prevent the catcher, if a runner was also on first, from "dropping" a third strike and then starting a double play by throwing to second.

in other cases, like a guy on 2nd, on 3rd, or 2nd/3rd, those runners could advance at his own risk.

When the catcher drops the ball/does not hold the K pitch, it becomes a K-ball in play. The runner must be tagged or force-played at 1st to make it an out. If he reaches, it's a K for the pitcher, but no out, and the runner is on.

I know I had a game last month that was 90 at gametime and my seat was in the bleachers and it was disgusting. I can't imagine sitting in seats in the sun for tomorrow's day game! (And I'm someone who loves the heat and is always feeling cold.)

Yeah, hilarious. It's a good idea to keep blatant sexism out of these threads. I am controlling myself but please, for everyone's sake, keep sexism (and racism and homophobia, if you have any) to yourself. Thanks.